The Effectiveness of Gottman Model-Based Marital Skills Training on Marital Disillusionment, Emotional Empathy, and Relationship Maintenance Strategies in Women Applying for Divorce

Saied  Torkaman; Majid Yousefi Afrashteh; Zekrollah  Morovati

Authors

Saied Torkaman Department of Educational Sciences and Counseling, Sav.C., Islamic Azad University, Saveh, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1643-3866
Majid Yousefi Afrashteh Department of Psychology, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran Corresponding author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2507-2038
Zekrollah Morovati Department of Psychology, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran Author https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1216-462X

Keywords:

Gottman model, marital disillusionment, emotional empathy, relationship maintenance strategies, women applying for divorce

Abstract

Purpose: The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Gottman model-based marital skills training on reducing marital disillusionment and improving emotional empathy and relationship maintenance strategies among women applying for divorce.

Methods and Materials: The present study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pretest–posttest structure, a two-month follow-up phase, and a control group. The statistical population consisted of women applying for divorce who referred to family counseling centers affiliated with the judiciary in Hamedan during 2025. Using convenience sampling, 30 eligible participants were selected and randomly assigned into experimental and control groups (15 participants in each group). The experimental group participated in nine weekly 90-minute sessions of Gottman model-based marital skills training, whereas the control group received no intervention during the study period. Data collection instruments included the Marital Disillusionment Scale, the Emotional Empathy Scale, and the Relationship Maintenance Strategies Measure. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc tests in IBM SPSS Statistics.

Findings: The results of repeated-measures analysis of variance indicated that the interaction effect of time and group was significant for all dependent variables. Gottman model-based training significantly reduced marital disillusionment, F(1, 28) = 19.404, p < .001, η² = .401, and significantly increased emotional empathy, F(1, 28) = 32.614, p < .001, η² = .529, and relationship maintenance strategies, F(1, 28) = 31.524, p < .001, η² = .521. Bonferroni post hoc comparisons further demonstrated that participants in the experimental group showed significantly lower marital disillusionment and significantly higher emotional empathy and relationship maintenance strategies during the posttest and follow-up phases compared with the control group (p < .05). The stability of results at follow-up indicated the durability of the intervention effects over time.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that Gottman model-based marital skills training is an effective intervention for improving interpersonal functioning and reducing relational distress among women applying for divorce.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Babaahmadi, F., Bahrami, A., & Falehieh, S. (2024). The Effectiveness of Johnson and Greenberg Emotion-Focused Couple Therapy on Enriching Intimacy and Preventing Marital Disillusionment in Couples. Rooyesh-e Ravanshenasi, 13(11), 241-250.

Brigance, C. A. (2023). Gottman Processes and Couple Outcomes while Navigating Infertility University of Missouri-Saint Louis].

Elisetty, S. G., & Datti, R. S. (2025). Research Trends on the Intricate Dimensions of Divorce among Women: A Bibliometric Analysis. Women's Studies International Forum, 108, 103028. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wsif.2024.103028

Faghihi, S., Nejat, H., Rahimi, S., Samari, A. A., & Hosseinani, A. (2025). Effectiveness of a Unified Divorce Prevention Framework Based on Compassion, Forgiveness, and Transactional Analysis on Psychological Flexibility in Divorce-Seeking Couples. Journal of Nursing Rehabilitation Research, 11(4), 89-94.

Ghezelsaflou, M., & Hashemi, S. (2018). Predictors of Marital Instability: Couples' Sincerity and Relationship Maintenance Strategies. Applied Counseling Journal, 8(1), 1-18.

Irvine, T. J. (2022). Validating the Effectiveness of a Gottman Method Couples Therapy Intervention, the Trust Revival Method, for Affair Recovery: A Randomized Control Trial Florida Atlantic University].

Irvine, T. J., Peluso, P. R., Benson, K., Cole, C., Cole, D., Gottman, J. M., & Schwartz Gottman, J. (2024). A Pilot Study Examining the Effectiveness of Gottman Method Couples Therapy over Treatment-as-Usual Approaches for Treating Couples Dealing with Infidelity. The Family Journal, 32(1), 81-94. https://doi.org/10.1177/10664807231210123

Jalalvand, D., Goodarzi, K., Karimi, J., & Yaghoubi, A. (2023). The Effectiveness of Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy and Gottman Couple Therapy on Marital Relationship Quality and Marital Intimacy. Family Research, 19(1), 107-124.

Karimi, M., Ghanbaripanah, A., & Hasani, F. (2024). Determining the Effectiveness of a Conflict Resolution Skills Training Program Based on Olson's Integrative Approach on Relationship Maintenance Strategies and Covert Relational Aggression. Psychological Dynamics in Mood Disorders, 25(1), 14-25.

Masjedi, A. S., Vasei, Z., Samadpor, Z., & Attar, F. (2022). Gottman Couples Therapy: The Effectiveness of GCT among Couples with Emotional Divorce. Journal of Pharmaceutical Negative Results, 4654-4663.

Mehrabadi, H., Kimiaei, S. A., & Karshki, H. (2025). Examining the Effectiveness of Gottman Couple Therapy on Conflict Resolution Styles, Marital Violence, and Family Resilience among Couples during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Islamic Lifestyle with Emphasis on Health, 9(19), 153-165.

Mirbagheri, A. M., Hazareh, Z., Kianimoghadam, A. S., Ghazanfari, M. J., & Masjidi Arani, A. (2025). Emotional Empathy, Adaptability, and Couple Functioning in Compatible and Incompatible Young Couples: A Cross-Sectional Study. Journal of Nursing Reports in Clinical Practice, 3(4), 332-340. https://doi.org/10.32598/JNRCP.2412.1198

Naseri, H., Babakhani, V., Amiri Majd, M., & Jafari, A. (2023). Effectiveness of Gottman Cognitive-Systemic Couple Therapy in Marital Conflicts of Divorce Applicants. Journal of Nursing Rehabilitation Research, 9(3), 67-97.

Nazemi, Z., Sepahmansour, M., Mohammadkhani, P., & Tagiloo, S. (2022). Examining the Mediating Role of Self-Compassion between Communication Skills and Emotional Expression with the Empathy of Divorce Applicants. Practice in Clinical Psychology, 10(4), 279-286. https://doi.org/10.32598/jpcp.10.4.776.1

Obi, J. I., Onyemaechi, C. I., & Philip, P. O. (2026). Correlates of Personality Traits and Financial Stress in Marital Disillusionment among Married Persons in Onitsha Metropolis, Anambra State. Ojukwu Journal of Psychological Services, 2(1), 71-98.

Paydari Niam, M., & Jadidian, A. A. (2025). Comparing Schema Therapy-Based Couple Therapy with the Gottman Method in Improving Marital Conflicts among Women on the Verge of Divorce. Psychological Dynamics in Mood Disorders, 4(1), 53-69.

Rajaei, A., Daneshpour, M., & Robertson, J. (2019). The Effectiveness of Couples Therapy Based on the Gottman Method among Iranian Couples with Conflicts: A Quasi-Experimental Study. Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy, 18(3), 223-240. https://doi.org/10.1080/15332691.2019.1567174

Rajendrakumar, J., Manjula, V., George, T. S., & Wesley, M. S. (2023). The Universal Dimensions of Change: A Systematic Review of Couple Techniques. Contemporary Family Therapy, 45(4), 371-393. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-022-09645-6

Saffarpour, A., Zohrehkar, K., & Farzad, V. (2022). The Effectiveness of Gottman Couple Therapy on Improving Quality of Life and Reducing Marital Burnout. Applied Family Therapy Quarterly, 3(3), 580-599.

Taei, L., Kazemian Moghadam, K., Gholamzadeh Jofreh, M., & Shahbazi, M. (2024). Comparison of Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy and Gottman Couple Therapy on Marital Disillusionment in Women with Addicted Husbands. Rooyesh-e Ravanshenasi, 13(6), 99.